L&Q takes over construction after contractor collapse

The housing association will take over the development of two Cheshire schemes after Lane End Developments fell into administration last year.

Place North West reported in July last year that Lane End Developments, the then contractor for the two L&Q projects, had been unable to pay its bills, including employee wages.

Construction stopped at two housing L&Q schemes, Earlsbrook in Delamere and Weaver Meadows in Winsford, due to the contractor’s insolvency.

Earlsbrook, a development of 166 homes on site of the former Marley Tile factory, has 114 properties occupied – with the remaining 52 in various states of completion.

Work is still required to complete the homes and deliver earthworks, public open spaces, drainage, and roads.

The Weaver Meadows project will deliver a total of 215 two-to-five-bed houses, with 117 remaining properties to be built by L&Q.

Of these homes, 98 are currently occupied. Work required includes the remaining homes, landscaping, and the delivery of roads and sewers.

Work on both projects is expected to resume in the autumn.

L&Q’s in-house construction team has now taken on both projects following an “extensive project review”.

Adam Simpson, development and project management director at L&Q, said: “At L&Q our mission is to deliver homes and communities that everyone can be proud of. Our size and financial stability, as one of the few housing associations with an in-house construction arm, have allowed us to step in and take over works at Earlsbrook and Weaver Meadows.

“Our sector has been faced with many challenges lately, including recent supply chain failures, but we are very pleased to be able to deliver on our commitment to residents and the local communities.”